Company Summary

AgVets plans to harness the resource of returning veterans to meet the growing demand for locally sourced, year-round pesticide-free produce. The venture will train and deploy former military officers and non-commissioned officers to manage an all veteran workforce in a network of high-tech commercial greenhouse operations across the United States. AgVets’ target is to have 25 local greenhouse operations nationwide by 2023.

Team

Michael A. Walker, CEO AgVets
Mr. Michael Walker brings over 25 years experience as a military officer and as an executive in the construction industry. As a Marine Corps officer, Mr. Walker served in a variety of commanding officer and staff officer positions, and he worked extensively with members of all branches of the military in conventional and special operations roles. Mr. Walker also gained in-depth knowledge of the legislative process,

Diego Espinosa

Co-Founder

Diego Espinosa is a private investor and Co-Founder of AgVets. As a hedge fund manager, Mr. Espinosa successfully predicted the 2006-2009 housing crash and financial crisis. Mr. Espinosa was previously Director of European Research at the equities research boutique Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. He was also a Portfolio Manager at Scudder Investments, where he co-lead managed the $10 billion Global Equity product -- one of the largest in the industry.

Ken Gerhart

Head Grower and Technical Advisor

Will serve as Acting Head Greenhouse Grower for Virginia; greenhouse pilot design; pilot growing operations; initial vet training; permanent Head Grower recruitment
Background:
Consultant, Greenhouse Vegetable Consultants (GVC), one of premier international consulting firms in the hydroponics greenhouse industry; former head of operations for major commercial tomato grower

Andy Higgins brings more than 20 years of agriculture industry experience to AgVets. Previously, Andy was CEO of a renowned flower company, Ecke Ranch. At Ecke, Andy led growth in offshore farms, executed production and supply chain systems and expanded sales which yielded significant margins and exceeded annual goals. At AgVets. Andy will focus on operations, logistics, sales and marketing, and as a partner, in raising equity capital.